Our Clinic Focused Education

Prospective students who choose to attend the Midwest College should be prepared for a rigorous clinic-based educational experience. Students begin to work in the Student Acupuncture Clinic their very first fall quarter. The program has been designed to take classroom learning, even first year theory, and have students see the clinical application of concepts during their internship activities and experiences.

In order to support the development of clinical competencies, interns work with a number of workbooks through the phases of internship. Internship begins with observation. Then it moves on to intake and diagnosis. It continues with designing and delivering acupuncture treatments and is completed with the diagnostic logic and critical thinking skills needed to create and evaluate a comprehensive treatment plan using all the modalities of TCM.

The clinical program is arranged into three phases for Acupuncture and five phases for Oriental Medicine. Acupuncture students complete a total of 660 hours using acu/moxa therapy. Oriental Medicine students complete 648 hours of acu/moxa internship and then begin integrating herbs and nutrition for an additional 270 hours; for a total of 918 hours.

Phase 1:Interns learn the procedures of clinical intake and physical assessment. They also observe senior interns doing intakes, performing acupuncture, and dispensing herbs. Interns document this phase with the Observation Workbook in which they record their experience’s.

Phase 3: Interns develop a treatment plan based on their diagnosis. They complete the Continuity of Care Workbook to document the objectives of this phase. These three phases, and workbooks, compose the internship portion of the Acupuncture Program.

Phase 4: Interns work closely with their supervisor developing the skill needed for herbal diagnosis, compounding formulas, and making nutritional recommendations. They begin to complete an Herb Formula / Nutrition Workbook to be completed over Phase’s 4 and 5.

Phase 5: During the final phase prior to graduation, students perfect their skill in herb formula modification and are responsible for making diagnoses and developing treatment plans using all the modalities of TCM; acu/moxa, herbs and TCM nutrition. They complete the Herb Formula / Nutrition Workbooks. For more detailed information about the 5 Phases, click here.

After completing the internship program at Midwest College, students have 2 or more years of intensive experience treating patients. These years of clinical contact, guided by well experienced supervisors, prepare graduates for the demands and responsibilities of a busy practice.

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This course is a practical study of the internal and external causes of disease within the Eastern medical model. A clear understanding of 'TCM pathologies' is needed in order to apply the sophisticated system of Oriental Medicine based on sign and symptom patterns.

This course consists of procedures of physical and neurological examination; providing an understanding of the methods used in making physical diagnosis.

Courses begin with a review of the normal physiological processes and then discuss how these are altered by disease. Students will be able to recognize pathological indicators and biochemical pathways to better correlate the basic science of pathology with physical diagnosis and disorders related to nutrition.

This course is a review of the basic sciences focusing on chemistry, microbiology and human biology. Includes an overview of the basic structures of organic molecules sufficient to understand the structure of chemical compounds studied in human chemistry. This course prepares students for courses in physiology, pathology and other western clinical sciences.

This directed learning paper develops additional competencies in basic sciences. Five pathological disorders from different systems are assigned.

This class concentrates on the processes involved with taking in and utilizing food substances by which growth, repair and maintenance of activities in the body as a whole or in any of its parts are accomplished. This includes ingestion, digestion, absorption and metabolism, as well as, basic nutritional needs and the use of vitamins, minerals and supplements.

This class includes topics in neuroanatomy and neurophysiology. Mechanisms of the nervous system are covered as related to the scientific basis of Acupuncture and its application to the treatment of disease. Students in this class gain the ability to explain the mechanisms of Acupuncture in modern medical terms. Communication skills between Acupuncturists and Medical professionals are stressed.

Students continue to practice needle insertion with combinations of points that would be used in treatment. There is emphasis on safety with difficult points and more complex point prescriptions.

Students review the anatomical structures through which needles pass at progressive depths of the body. This includes proper insertion, angle, depth, duration and withdrawl of needles.

At the beginning of the second year, students begin developing needle insertion skills. Students receive intensive instruction in techniques of clean needle insertion as approved by current national standards.

This course helps students develop their skills in organization and analysis of presenting symptoms. The clinic review class includes evaluation of the physical and psychological components of an illness and specific treatment strategies.

This class covers the basis of treatment using the eight principle and secondary vessel pathology. Students learn to formulate a treatment using the information gathered from pulse and tongue diagnosis. Practical use of classical point categories such as antique points, influential points and windows of the sky points in the treatment of eight principle disease patterns will be covered.

It is in this class that the prior three quarter of TCM theory begin to flower and faculty can see the "light bulb go on", as students get a sense of how well the TCM theory fits together. At this point, students are beginning their next phase of clinic and now have responsibility of using this information in a clinical setting.

A continuation of Anatomy 1, this course is an in-depth study of visceral structure and physiologic function of the human body.

This course is an in-depth study of the somatic structure of the human body: skeletal, muscular, ligamentous, and an introduction to the peripheral nerves. There is attention given to the palpatory anatomy that will be needed for Point Location and Needle Technique classes.

In this course, students are oriented to the procedures and protocol needed to successfully complete internship. Physical assessment skills needed in the practice of Oriental Medicine are covered including: vital signs, temperature, pulse, and blood pressure. Standards of history taking, SOAP noting and unique documentation found in TCM clinical records are part of this course.

This course includes discussion that brings up pertinent issues in healthcare practice and examines the approach taken by a counselor. It focuses on ethical decision-making and the patient practitioner relationship.

The directed learning paper traces the development of Chinese medicine including: the classics, historical figures and periods, and a discussion of important theoretical developments. It gives students a respect for the ancient traditions from which the modern, clinical practice of TCM developed.

The moral and ethical principles that are the core of the teachings of Confucius and Lao Tzu are taught in a manner that can be applied in present day. The influence of these schools on the development of Chinese medicine is stressed in this course.

This course continues massage techniques to regions of the body for local and systemic problem. Good Tui Na technique combined with accessory techniques is an important adjunct to an acupuncture practice.

Tui Na is a form of Chinese massage that includes different hand techniques applied to specific areas of the body. Students will gain proficiency in manipulation skill and sensitivity to energy balancing as they practice techniques in class and apply them in clinic.

Students will attend lectures, demonstrate and practice in the traditional and modern accessory techniques of Oriental Medicine: moxibustion, magnets, guasha, cupping and auricular techniques.

In this course, students will use charts, models and their fellow students as subjects to locate and mark the most important acupuncture points. Students will spend six quarters developing the sensitivity needed to achieve the Qi sensation required for effective treatment.

In this course, students will use charts, models and their fellow students as subjects to locate and mark the most important acupuncture points. Students will spend six quarters developing the sensitivity needed to achieve the Qi sensation required for effective treatment.

This course further studies the eight principle theory as it applies to the pathology of the five phases, the Zang Fu organs and the triple burner.

The rigorous clinic –based educational experience is designed to take classroom learning and first year theory so have students see the clinical application of concepts during their internship activities and experiences.

This is the first class in Chinese medical theory and introduces students to the language and refinement found in Midwest’s academic program. This class will also establish the foundation from which student’s understandings will grow.